The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-05-26

| the SuDuTDS OI IIle CdplUaI.
"Senorita," l answered, ''look a
this little toy, and tell me if high
wayman would care to face it."
handed her my pistol, a weapon o.
the latest improved pattern. She ex
amined it with interest.
''Let me lay it on the seat here, and
conceal it under my mantilla," she
suggested. eff we need it l can hand
it to you quicker than you could draw
it from your pocket"
As it was really a good idea, con.
sented readily.
! We did not suffer for topics of con.
versation; but this girl, for she was
nothing more than girl, made such a
pretty picture in her strange costume
that / found sufficient entertainment
in looking at her. / was just begin
ming to admit to myself that 1 was
madly in love with her, when the dill
gencia gave a lurch, and came to a
full stop in dark and thickly-wooded
place through which we were passing.
''El Tornadow shouted Gil Perez.
"Merciful saintsp cried the senorita.
felt an uneasy thrill. Ell Tornado
was the bravest and most desperate
brigand in that region. He had a
short time before kidnapped wealthy
banker, and in default of ransom
had with his own hand blown out the
prisoners brains.
''Quick! My pistolr' 1 exclaimed.
But mysterious change had come
over the senorita. Before the words
were out of my mouth she had the
weapon at full cock leveled at my
head.
'.Senor Americana" she said, sit is
useless to resist. SeeI"
A glance showed that was helpless.
Only four robbers were in sight, but
they were four against one, to say
nothing of the senorita. The men
were not masked. One held the
horses of the diligencia another stood
guard over Gil Perez with a pistol
pointed at his head, while the two
others, at either window of the coach,
covered me with their weapons and
demanded my valise.
1.-The senior will hand it to YOU"
Could that voice be the senorita's?
Undoubtedly it was, but it sounded
strangely.
With three revolvers focused on me,
within few inches of my head, there
was nothing to do but to make the
best of it. l quietly delivered the
valise with its golden contents. The
door was opened and the senorita was
assisted out by one of the brigands.
She was instantly helped into vacant
saddle, and Ell Tornado exchanged
few whispers with her. Then he
turned to me.
Thanks, senior, for your attention
to this lady. You carry with you our
best wishes. Adiosp'
"Adios, senor," chimed in the lady,
waving her hand.
/ grumbled out an answer, and the
little cavalcade spurred off at gallop.
Gil Perez was of but little comfort
to me. He crossed himself several
times, and told me that l was lucky in
escaping from Ell Tornado with my
life. Then he swore at Sancho and
Perdita, and lashed the horses until
they dashed forward at the top of
their speed,
One night a week later was coming
out of the opera-house with a friend.
The President and group of officials
came along, and we made way for
them. Suddenly face that once seen
could never be forgotten flashed be-
fore my eyes. Leaning on the arm of
a distinguished-look officer in a
Coloners uniform was the senorita,
my own senorita!
t'What is the matter?" asked my
friend.
THAT womanw l cried, WHO Is
she?"
1.-The Sonora Alvarez" was the
quick answer.
'sAnd the MANI"
SHer husband, Col Alvarez"
Taken aback as / was, 1 thought of
what was due to my friend. l told
him the whole story.
II am sorry you have lost your
senorita," he said, with a grim smile,
''but keep your discovery to yourself.
I have no doubt Alvarez does some
times take hand in highway robbery
under the name of Ell Tornado, and
his wife helps him. She posted the
gang about your visit to Toboso.
Everything that occurred was pre-
arranged. But you have no remedy.
Alvarez is an officer of high standing.
If you make the charge that he is El
Tornado you will be shot as sure as
fate"
Other Americans took the same
view, and, as my client showed no
disposition to make fight for the
recovery of his money, took my de-
parture for the States without again
seeing my senorita.-W Wallace p. Reed
in the atlanta Constitution.